Pill swallowing question

I had surgery on September 12th. So far, I have been crushing all my vitamins & hiding them in applesauce. It's worked, I guess, but I have to hold my nose when I swallow. Then a couple of weeks ago, I discovered Centrum's Chewable multi-vitamins. They are wonderful! Now, I've discovered that I can get my Calcium in a sugar-free chocolate chew (Wal-mart brand). Also, I now use GNC's B vitamin that dissolves under your tongue. That still leaves me crushing my Biotin (bitter & yucky when crushed!). Last week, I read an article in a magazine that stated Fish Oil helps w/skin elasticity. I need all the help that I can get. I bought some. The capsules are huge! They are definitely NOT crushable. I plan on calling my surgeon on Monday to see if I can start swallowing them, but until then...I was wondering what experiences you all have had in swallowing pills or capsules. Thanks for sharing, April in Alabama

When I saw my surgeon at 4 weeks I took in a sample of every pill that I take ... he said I could swallow all of them whole ... and I do, with no problems at all. I'd suggest that ... let your doctor see the size and he'll know how big he left your "hole" Jody

I once swallowed a caluim pill to see if I could that sucker got stuck. I do swallow all my smaller pills. Take Care Barb

I had surgery on the 12th and I can swallow pills, even the horse pill antibiotics I had last week.. blek Erin

Hi, My surgeon goes by, nothing bigger than an M&M for the first three months after surgery. If it's bigger, it either has to be chewed or crushed...Capsules are fine with him though...but if too big, should be semi-melted in the mouth first to soften it up and then swallow it... As far as your chocolate chewable Calcium goes...are you sure it's Calcium Citrate and not Carbonate? WLS patients post op need Calcium Citrate because the carbonate needs gastric juices to absorb it and we don't have those juices any longer. Check the box...if they're like a "walmart equivilant" to Viactiv, you should check with your doctor. My surgeon wants the Citrate only. I take some medications and they are all smaller than an M&M. I was cracking one into 4's and taking them that way...now, I noticed that it's not that big, so I can take it whole. I do Twin Labs Chewable Calcium Citrate and I also take the Centrum Chewables (CVS brand equivilent) and I like them. Just hope they're absorbing well into my system. Take care, paula

Hi April, It you long lost twin, Cheryl, How are you doing??? I was thinking of you the other day . I show my girlfriend your pic. and she asked how long ago did I take that pic. LOL I told her it wasn't me. she said Oh my gosh. she couldn't beleave it. so how are you after your op. I wish you all the best. Oh By the way my surgery was 9/14 and I have been swallowing my pill. I have lost 43lbs . good luck Cheryl

April, I still cant' swallow my pills, I hate it. I crush all mine together and put a packet of splenda in it then water...i then toss it all back..not bad and i am still taking 4 meds in the am and i can do it all at once. i tried applesauce YUCK.... I am a nurse and have stated that i will never work in a place again where i have to crush pills and applesauce them and give that to people. not a nice thing to do. I agree with the post about the calcium citracel has a chewable which isn't bad at all and it is the right type of calcium. I get my vits from walgreens, a brand called resource and it is made for bariatric patients. i also use polysaccaride iron, that is what my surgeon has asked us to take the other kinds are to hard on the pouch. Well, that is my pill saga, take care debbie

I started swallowing my pills at 6 weeks out. I take a capsule, a round tablet, my pepcid AC all together. Seems to be okay. Can't take the calcium citrate tablets from GNC, as they are just tooooooo big, and have to take them 4X a day - NOT! So, I ordered the Calcium Citrate and chewable multivites from Bariatric advantage. Both are pretty good. The Calcium is chewable cinnamon flavor, is a bit gritty, but only 2X/day. I highly recommend them.... Denise 253/s232/196/140